Tag: #ProductReviews

As parents, we know that time management is essential. So essential that we write things down, put alarms on our phones, put sticky notes throughout our homes, we sync our phone’s calendars with your spouse’s and if you’re like me, you also put everything into a physical planner.

Maybe it’s overkill, maybe I am crazy, but this mom-brain that I have going on is no joke. It starts out as pregnancy-brain because your tiny little human is sucking out your brain cells, and then it turns into exhaustion that I am pretty sure is never ending.

I couldn’t have been happier when Momma’s Little Helper contacted us! With the school year starting, I have zero time to forget things and my old planner was just about done.

This day planner is not like any other because it was made specifically with busy moms. From cover to cover, it is detailed and designed to make your life easier!

About this awesome day planner:

It comes in two styles, flowers and damask.

“Academic planner.” There is plenty of room to write down assignments and projects you have to help your kids with, as well as school functions, classmate info and much more.

Plenty of space for your agenda & notes

Pockets on the inside of front and back covers.

Notes pages for each monthunlike most planners with just a small column or one page in the back.

August 2016 – July of 2017 and their 2017 January to December daily & weekly planners will be available in October 2016.

240 pages gives you plenty of space to write down to-do lists and whatever else you may need.

For stay at home moms: my planner stays in my diaper bag or purse almost 100% of the time. I like to physically write things down to help me remember them. I like that there are pages for emergency numbers, household contacts and family medical information. If I leave my kids at the sitter’s or a sitter is at my house, I can simply show them where to find the info without having to worry if they know everything in case of an emergency.

It’s small! It is only 8.5″ x 6″, so it fits in most purses and diaper bags. The pockets are the perfect size for receipts, notes, coupons, whatever odds and ends you might not want floating around your bag.

Space for to-do lists and other lists right inside the planner

For working moms: (Katie here, your resident working mom, busy body) I utilize a planner every single day. Not only would I lose my mind without a physical planner, but I also love to look back at my old planners and be nostalgic (you know, about years when I was busy going to the movies and on dates instead of arranging child care and pediatric appointments). I plan my life months in advance, so it’s ideal to be able to have a paper planner in front of me so that I can quickly flip to a date to see what I already have planned.

Nice, long columns for all of the important stuff I need to keep track of!

Likes: the front pocket. The front pocket of my planner usually contains all kinds of chaos that has been paper-clipped in. Now, I have a nice little pocket to hoard all kinds of ridiculous things in. The detailed front pages are fantastic. While I personally will never utilize any of the cooking tip pages (trophy wife of the year, I know) I’m sure plenty of other moms will love these pages. The tips at the top are fabulous. I love random trivia anyway, so I really love seeing it on each page. The layout is great and leaves plenty of space for details, and the quality of the planner is also really good.

Dislikes: I wish this planner had tabs like my current one does. Each month in my current planner has an easy-to-find tab that makes flipping through really easy. While this isn’t a huge downfall, it’s a nice perk and would be great to see in the next edition of this planner. Also, I find that this product could easily be marketed towards dads, too. Stay at home dads, working dads, coaches and dads that just like to use planners would also find it very beneficial. I’d like to see a product geared towards parents putting us all on a level playing field (though, if I saw my husband using a planner I might actually die of shock. He isn’t exactly organized).

Old planner on the left (almost outdated) and new planner on the right. Comparable in size and quality!

If you’re looking for a way to organize your day to day activities, Momma’s Little Helper is definitely the way to go. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and Instagram!

Happy planning!

– Amanda and Katie

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

When I heard I would be receiving Freemie Collection Cups to review, I was beyond excited. Freemie Collection Cups were created to be a hands free and discreet breast pump milk collection system. Let’s be real, it sounds appealing, doesn’t it?

Why was I so excited to try these you ask? As a full-time school counselor and new mom, I was excited to try anything that would make pumping a little less dreadful. I mean, to have my hands free and not have giant horns popping out of my shirt? I’m all in.

When first opening the package, they included simple and easy to follow directions on what needed to be connected to each part (a few of the parts needed to be boiled first). These collection cups look nothing like the “horns” we’re used to. However, there are 3 major parts just like with the “horns.” You have the collection cups, valves, and then the shields/funnels. The collection cups each hold 8 ounces which is fabulous since I can usually pump over 5 ounces that the typical bottles hold. The valves are an awkward shape, however, they just click into the shields just like the “horns”. The shields (they call them funnels) are either 25 or 28 mm and both sizes are included. As a side note, I have a Medela Pump in Style pump which does not need any additional adapters, but some pumps do. The Freemie website shows which pumps need additional adapters. To use the Freemie with my pump, I just had to switch out the tubing and replace it with their tubes (included).

Usage: Freemie claims they fit into your bra and that you can pump with your shirt on. The collection cups stick out about two to three inches so I don’t know about you, but I can’t fit two-three inches into my bra. However, with a nursing bra I was able to unhook it as if I was going to nurse and slide them in. I usually wear a cami of some type under all my shirts, which also supports the collection cups. Once you get the hang of sliding them in, your hands really are free! The first time I used them, I was sitting there with a straight back (not even leaning over), my shirt on and free hands. It was like the Pumping Gods threw me a bone! As I was sitting there, I was thinking of all the possibilities since my hands were free. I picked up my phone, hopped on Facebook and relaxed for 15 minutes. If I’m super busy at work, it’s a great time for me to send out some emails uninterrupted while still pumping. After pumping a few minutes, I noticed that the collection cups started fogging up which was kind of a bummer because I usually keep an eye out for when the milk stops then I’m done compared to a certain “time” amount. (This is pretty expected, because it’s difficult to keep a product like this from fogging with the extreme temperature differences. However, Freemie is working on this!) After several uses I now know you can lean over a little bit and check the bottom where it has lines to show the ounces. I know about how much I pump during the day and use that method for now.

Once I was done pumping, I was able to just slide them out of my bra, take the tubing out (make sure you turn your pump off first or you’ll end up with milk in your tubes), take apart the collection cup system, and then pour the milk into a storage bag or container. Personally, I am able to pump in my office and then I put all the parts and my milk into a lunchbox and put it all in the fridge. I do wash out the Freemie collection cup system prior to putting into the lunch box. The collection cups are super easy to clean, too. I soak mine in hot soapy water every day after work, do a quick scrub then I lay them out to dry.

Overall, I love the Freemie Breast Pump Collection System! However, there a few cons. Like I said above, the cups get foggy and you are unable to see if the milk is still flowing. I find this to be the biggest downfall. In addition, the first few times you’ll likely get milk in the tubes (once you get used to it, it doesn’t happen often). It’s also not quite as discrete as they lead consumers to believe, but you are still able to pump with your shirt on, it just makes you look like you have giant boobs (and I mean giant). Even with these cons, I personally still think the pros outweigh the cons. They stay in place, are easy to put together/take apart and are truly hands free. I highly recommend Freemie to any mom!

– Cierra, Guest Blogger

Did you like our @freemieusa review? If so, order your own and get 10% off using code “burritobuzz10” courtesy of our pals at Freemie!

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Abso-freaking-lutely. I am definitely a believer. I’m sold and I won’t go back! But let’s start from the beginning.

When my husband and I first started to realize we were going to have a harder time conceiving than we had hoped, we decided to change our lifestyles to try and rid unnecessary toxins and chemicals from our bodies and our household. I heard of the DivaCup, but it sounded gross, weird and just plain scary. But you know what else is scary? All the shit that is in the majority of tampons and pads out there. If you’re not buying organic feminine products, there’s a really good chance you’re putting some nasty stuff up/in/around/below your vagina. And I was too, so no judgement here. I’m going to spare you the science lesson that I would probably botch (and we’re all adults here and know how to use Google). But go now and do a few Google searches about what’s in tampons and pads. Even scarier, the FDA isn’t required to list the ingredients because feminine products are considered “medical devices.” I don’t doubt a man is behind this somehow.

Anyway, after I did all that research and decided my vagina deserves better, I started looking into menstrual cups. I was still hesitant, but I liked the thought that 1. I could spend around $30 and it would last me a year or so and 2. there was no waste going into the landfills. There are tons of different brands, each with different sizes/benefits, but I was a newbie and decided to go with the brand I heard most about, The DivaCup. I ordered mine from Amazon and it was right around $30.

In case you don’t have a clue what the hell I’m talking about when I say “menstrual cup” (like my mother, love you mom!), I’ll explain. It’s a small silicone ‘cup’ that you place in your vagina. It’s super bendy and flexible, and it kind of suction cups to the walls of your vagina. The cup catches all of the blood. Imagine a funnel (without the hole in the bottom), as long as the cup is in place, there are no leaks.

When I first received my DivaCup, I got online and read all kinds of tips and watched videos so I knew what the heck I was doing. I will admit, it took a few tries to get the hang of it and to get it to where there were no leaks, but once I figured out what worked for me, it’s super easy! It’s completely painless and not weird at all.

Here are some things I’ve heard when I tell people I use the DivaCup:

Ew. I don’t want to get blood on my hands. Yes, you might get a little blood on your hands, most likely when you’re first figuring out how to use the cup. If you have to take it in and out to get it in the right spot, you may get a little blood on you. Once you get the hang of it though, the cup is clean when you put it in, and the bottom part you pull out should stay pretty clean while it’s in there! I’ve never had an incident where I was covered in blood. It’s your own blood after all, it’ll be okay.

How do you empty it when you’re in public? I don’t. I’ve never had to. You can go 10- 12 hours without emptying it and I’ve always been able to plan ahead to where I will have a private bathroom to rinse my DivaCup out in. I will normally empty it in the morning before leaving for work and in the late afternoon when returning home from work. It’s kind of amazing to see how little you actually bleed most days.

What if I spill my DivaCup everywhere? I don’t have much advice for this, except don’t! It’s really much easier than people think. There’s a little stem at the bottom that you use to pull/pinch the cup to pull it out and empty in the toilet, rinse it in the sink then put it back in. I’ve never had a ‘Carrie’ moment with blood and my DivaCup.

How do you clean it? During my cycle, I just give it a good rinse with hot water in the sink (hot water makes the cup more flexible and easier to insert too). When my cycle ends, after I give it a good cleaning in the sink, I just put it in boiling water to sterilize it. They now sell a special DivaCup soap called DivaWash, but boiling has always worked for me.

I could go on and on with information and facts, but by this time you’re either interested or you think I’m crazy or gross. There is endless information out there, so I encourage you to do some research and find out what the best option is for you! Your vagina will thank you!

If you’re a stay at home parent, you’re laughing hysterically at this list because 99% of the time all of those are virtually impossible.

I am so sick of seeing Mommy Blog posts about “How to be a Stay at Home Mom”

10 Things To Ensure You Are A Great Stay At Home Mom

6 Ways To Be A Productive Stay At Home Mom

How To Afford Being a Stay At Home Mom

Habits of an Effective Stay At Home Mom

It’s all a bunch of malarkey. You want to know why? Because it looks different for every single mom. Heck, sometimes it looks completely different and it’s a stay at home dad.**gasp** I’m guilty though, because yes, I do click on and read almost all of them. Hoping and praying that somehow this little circus that I got myself into can be more manageable. Honestly, I wish I had an answer for all of your stay at home mom questions, but I don’t. I have tips and tricks that have worked for me and my family, but I guarantee that they won’t work for everyone.

What will help is some brutal honesty.

You will never sleep. Like ever. It just doesn’t happen. We get the kids to bed, I try to get some chores done, spend time with my husband, get ready for bed and by the time I am in bed it is 11pm. In two or three hours, my 2 year old will be up wandering the halls asking for her soccer ball or something ridiculous. After getting her back to bed, I lay back down and generally get another 2 hours of sleep because one or both of my little ones are up at 5 AM every day. Every single day. Today it was 4:45…

3 or 4 hours of sleep at night on repeat. My husband works nights, so sleep is just out of the questions for like, ever. Getting up early for “me time” and to get ready for the day is hilarious.

I have some OCD tendencies but I despise housework. It’s not that I don’t do it. My house is almost always spotless. Especially if we are planning on having company over. I do it, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Your chores never go away. It is a constant stream of dishes, laundry, vacuuming, picking up, dusting, washing the floors, cleaning up outside, cleaning up after pets, picking up toys. Your house never gets a break. No one is at work and daycare all day. It is constantly getting filthy. It might not stay that way for long, but you never stop moving. Between chasing kids and picking up toys, you don’t sit down a whole lot. I never understand when people say they love doing dishes or laundry. I never used to hate it, but I do now. It’s a constant chore that never ends. Someone always has something dirty in their room or on them, and there is always a sippy cup or snack cup hidden away that needs washed.

I told my husband the other day that I am an awesome stay at home mom but I suck at being a housewife. There are many days when I am asked what’s for dinner and the answer is “whatever you can find and you better use paper products.”

It’s hard. Our job is never done.

Your coworkers like to touch you a lot, they are mean sometimes and they don’t do a whole lot of work. Quietly sitting at the computer typing this post and que the 2 year old that just jumped on my back requesting a “pony ride.” There is also a 1 year old over in the corner emptying a basket full of freshly folded clothes on top of the very hairy lab.

You’re never alone. There isn’t a lot of explanation for this. It’s simple. You are your children’s everything, so that means they have to be attached to you all day long. Good luck with your coffee break. I just warmed mine up for the 3rd time this morning.

People will ask you if you want help all the time. Believe it or not, I really can do this. I have two kids and taking them to the store with me is my job. Cleaning my house with kids at home is my job, among many other things.

I will let you spend time with my kids, and sometimes, yes you do need to get out, but I promise you can do chores and things without people helping you all the time. Help is nice. I have been getting better about letting people give me a hand, but just be warned. People have this attitude that because you didn’t wash your hair today that you must need help. It’s annoying and approaching disrespectful. If I was anyone else doing a hard job, would you offer to give me a break because I had a long day? This is a 24/7 job and I am well aware that I signed up for a crazy job.

When are you getting a real job? ……Please ask me that one more time, I dare you. People even say “I just could never stay home and not work, I would have to get a real job and provide for my child.” So when you are at your “real job”, do you hire a real person to watch your kids or a fake one? People are ignorant, say it to your face and want an actual answer, like what they said wasn’t the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard. I am warning you now, if you haven’t heard it already, you will.

Being a homebody isn’t a bad thing. I love being at home. Ever heard of yoga pants and leggings? An endless supply of coffee and baby breath? Keep it coming. I literally have to pump myself up to go out with friends. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends. I love spending time with other adults. I know it is important. I just like my kids, my coffee, my Netflix and my blog more than dinner and drinks.

“Affording” to be a stay at home mom isn’t easy. Affording is in quotes because I am still trying to figure that out. I am not a couponer. I shop sales and I shop at Aldi. We don’t do a lot of extra stuff, we are a middle class suburban family and I am happy thatway. We don’t always get all the new shiny things we want, and there are times that I look back at a month when we had extra expenses and wonder how we did it. But you make it. I promise that there is always a way that things work out. All we knew was that we could pay all of our bills and a little more on one income, that we wanted the kids to have me 24/7, until they were at least in school and that we were going to make it work.

You will never regret the decision to stay home and it is so much fun! I have always wanted to be a stay at home mom. Luckily, my dream came true. Such a simple dream. There is never a bad day when I say “if I could just clock out and go to work.” You will never regret getting extra time with your kids. Getting to see every single milestone unfold before your eyes. Teaching them everything and watching them learn from you. It really is a gift. Don’t take it lightly and don’t brag to your working mom friends about it either.

Not everyone can do it. Being a stay at home mom is not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with that. Working parents are beyond awesome! I have a friend who is an amazing mother but would lose her mind if she was surrounded by her kids all day. Not everyone can do it and that’s completely normal. If you are a working parent, don’t feel bad about working. You spend time and teach your children in your own way, and provide them with awesome caregivers.

Time is fleeting and whatever time we get with our tiny humans is a blessing.

Now that this written maybe I wrote it for myself, to make me feel better. I don’t know. I just hope that someone can relate and has days where they feel like this is the craziest job on the planet, too. ❤

Toddlers are picky. I think it’s just ingrained in our DNA that when we’re between the ages of 1 and 5, we’re picky little turds. My almost four year old is beyond picky. The one and only food that she is guaranteed to eat is potatoes: french fries, mashed potatoes, tater tots, potato-filled pierogies and hash browns. That’s it. It’s really hard getting her to try
new foods or to eat anything other than potatoes. I’m guessing (hoping) it’s a normal toddler thing. I set out to find something to help me get her to eat different kinds of foods and found FunBites. I reached out to FunBites and they were awesome enough to send me one of their Bite-Sized Food Cutter Sets.

FunBites is the first and only food cutter set that creates bite-sized fun for little ones! Each set included a patented curved, little finger safe blade cutter with matching popper (to easily pop the food out). It’s BPA free, dishwasher safe and made in the USA (which we love)! It’s CPSC children’s product compliant, making it safe for little ones 18 months and older. You might have seen FunBites on Shark Tank in 2015, too! I now remember seeing their pitch and thought it was genius!

We were sent Jackie the Dreamer, the orange triangle set. There are several designs available: squares in green or yellow, hearts in pink or red, triangles in orange or blue and limited edition Minions goggles! Once I got the cutter out of the box, I explained to my daugher what exactly it was. I said it cuts food, like sandwiches and fruit, into triangles. She immediately asked for a peanut butter sandwich and I happily obliged (remember, she doesn’t eat much of anything). I washed the cutter and made the sandwich then put the cutter directly onto the sandwich and rocked it back and forth, to make sure each part is cut all the way through. Once rocked enough, Iined up the popper, pushed it down and popped out the triangles. It was so easy! I placed the triangles on a plate and my little one devoured them. She actually asked for two more triangle sandwiches! What?! She ate every single piece! I will be ordering the other shapes as well to make more creative dishes for her and her little sister once she’s old enough.

If you’re looking to spice up mealtime and get your picky eater to actually want to eat, try FunBites and get creative! They’re perfect for kids, parents, grandparents, schools and daycares, anyone who wants to add some fun to mealtime! You can even get your kids to help you in the kitchen and have them create a little masterpiece to eat. I give FunBites a 5 out of 5 stars. The price is right at $9.99, although I think a bundle of two or three cutters at a discounted price would be great to offer. It’s easy and gets kids to eat. What more could a mom ask for?

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

My favorite part about the start of the new school year (other than having our house being tantrum-free for a few hours) is the back to school shopping! I always loved shopping with my mom for school supplies, new fall and winter clothes and of course shoes! Both my daughter and I love shoes. For school this year, I wanted to make sure I got her a pair that would hold up the entire year and that were cute (my daughter says her shoes have to be cute). I have always been a fan of Livie & Luca shoes, so I decided to reach out to see if we could collaborate on a review. I was thrilled when they offered to send not just one pair, but a pair for my daughter and a pair for Megan’s newly walking son, for us to try out! Mitzi Rivas and Amie Garcia met at a prenatal yoga class in 2003. When Amy saw Mitzi’s first pair shoes, she fell in love and wanted them not only for her own children, but for children everywhere! Their goal was to combine joy, and hand-made shoes, thus Livie & Luca was born! The first collection was released in 2005. The company strives to make a difference and spread joy through their beautiful, whimsical shoes and for their products to positively affect the lives of others. I absolutelylove their motto: Spreading joy, growing community, making a difference – this is Livie & Luca. Companies like Livie & Luca are few and far between these days. Their passion and charitable efforts alone will make me a lifetime customer.

I let my daughter pick out the pair she wanted to try from Livie & Luca’s Fall/Winter 2016 catalog. I wasn’t worried because all of the shoes were fabulous, we would have been happy to receive any style! Not surprisingly, she picked the Oak Mary Jane ($62). This shoe is perfect for her and any little one who loves nature! On one toe is a cute little squirrel and on the other is an acorn. They are absolutely gorgeous! I couldn’t believe the quality of materials and how beautiful the brown leather is. The shoe is made from genuine brown leather, nude leather lining, velcro closure (making it super easy to get them on and off), a breathable inner sole, and a padded comfort collar. Although the price for Livie and Luca shoes is quite a bit higher, the quality cannot be beat. These shoes are made to last. The Oak Mary Jane is available in a toddler size 4-13 and the length is true to size and the width is medium. These Mary Janes are perfect for little girls who wear uniforms to school, and they are also available in black!

Megan chose the the adorable Hayes sneaker in Walnut (also available in a Denim, pictured below) for her little guy and they both love them! He just started walking this summer so he’s still learning, but these shoes are helping him get around better and fit his chubby little feet perfectly! This sneaker is a snap to get on thanks to the double velcro straps. Check out all of the cute boy styles here!

I highlyrecommend Livie & Luca shoes for your little one. There are so many different styles for both girls and boys, you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect pair (or maybe you’ll find two… or three). Sizes are available in baby soft soles (0-6mo to 18-24mo), little kids and big kids (4-13) and youth (1Y-3Y). The prices range from $39 to $70. The price point is a little high (the fabulous quality reflects the price) for me personally and they are out of your budget, they often have awesome sales (like right now) and you can also check out their Buy/Sell/Trade groups on Facebook for great deals on previously owned Livie & Luca shoes. Click here to visit their website to see which styles you fall in love with!

Livie & Luca is such an amazing company, they have offered to givea pair of their shoes away to two lucky BurritoBuzz readers! One winner can pick a girl style of their choice and one winner can chose a boy style of their choice. It’s super easy to enter, just follow the steps below! We will be triple checking to make sure each step is followed!

Follow both BurritoBuzz and Livie & Luca on Instagram.

Like the giveaway post on Burrito Buzz’s Instagram page.

Comment on the giveaway post with what size and gender you’d want if you won.

Tagat least one friend to let them know about this awesome giveaway.

That’s it! The giveaway begins at 12pm on Monday, September 5th and will end at 12pm on Wednesday, September 7th. Two winners (one boy and one girl pair) will be chosen at random and announced shortly after 12pm on the original Instagram post. *This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Instagram.*

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

I don’t know about the rest of the moms and dads out there, but my household would not survive without peanut butter. I love it, my husband loves it and now my kids love it. We can eat it on pretty much anything! When Burrito Buzz got the chance to sample some peanut butter, I was all about it! I will admit, my family and I prefer JIF and Peter Pan, but we remained open-minded to Pic’s Peanut Butter, which is gourmet and all natural.

Pic’s (Really Good) Peanut Butter is simply made in New Zealand from only peanuts and less than 1% of salt. It can’t get much better than that! The company uses hi-oleic peanuts from Australia to make the peanut butter. The hi-oleic peanuts are GMO free and according to Pic’s “are resistant to staleness” and “keep their fresh roasted flavor and crunchiness long after ordinary peanuts go tasteless and mushy.” I can attest that even after having it for several weeks, the crunchy is still crunchy! Like the company states on their website, the crunchy version of their peanut butter is not a typical crunchy with big pieces of peanuts. Pic’s crunchy peanut butter is filled with tons of peanut pieces of varying sizes, making it even crunchier!

Although my family and I ate the peanut butter without major complaints, I’m still not 100% sold on Pic’s Peanut Butter. I just don’t think it can replace our not-so-natural peanut butters (JIF especially) in our home. We did give a fair shot and I plan to continue to give it to my kiddos because it is better for them, but I can’t say I would buy it on my own. If you’re a fan of “all natural” nut butters, this one is probably for you!

Pic’s also features several other nut products on their website (Peanut Slugs, Peanut Oil, Almond Butter and Cashew Butter). Visit their website to purchase your own Pic’s peanut butter or find out how the company got started and why they who they are! I really enjoyed reading about them

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Bathtime is one of our family’s favorite parts of the day. My oldest loves bubble baths and pretending the bath is the ocean with her Octonaut toys and my youngest, who is just now starting to sit up, loves splashing around while sitting in her bath chair. While bathtime can fun (and relaxing for me, as I know bedtime this close), it can be dangerous. This American Academy of Pediatrics article from 2009 states that on average, 43,000 children are hurt in bathtub or shower-related falls in the United States each year. When my daughter was two, she slipped in our bathtub and chipped her front tooth. It was terrifying! I reached out to an amazing company, Puj, who has innovative and simple products, included bath safety products. Puj was kind enough to send me two awesome products that will help keep your little ones safe!

Puj (pronounced Pudge) was created by parents of four, Ben and Katie Richardson, with a simple mission: to simplify parenting with great products, designed to make parents’ lives easier. Puj was born when Ben and Katie were searching for a better way to bathe their second baby. Their solution was the ultimate baby bathtub, the Puj tub (check it out here, it’s an absolute must for infants). Since then, Puj added many, many more innovative and simple products.

I was fortunate enough to have received two of those products, Puj bath treads ($14.99) and an elephant Puj Snug ($9.99), to review. You can get a plain old bathtub mat anywhere, but Puj bath treads are super spunky and fun! Each pack comes with six 6” round bath treads and there are two colors to chose from. They are also BPA and PVC free, so no worrying about chemicals! The grippy surface helps prevent slipping for both parents and children and can even be placed outside of the tub for added traction when stepping out of the tub. They’re super easy to apply: clean the surface of the bathtub with bathroom cleaner, rinse with water and allow the bathtub to dry completely. Once it’s dry, apply the self adhesive treads and allow 24 hours before using the tub. The good thing is they’re easy to remove and don’t leave any residue or damage!

The Puj Snug is so simple and so necessary with children. It protects their little heads and limbs from hitting the spout. I know my oldest has hit her head several times on the spout, (and I have too!) It’s made out of a super soft foam-like material, (made from excess material from the Puj bath tub) that is BPA and PVC free and can easily bend and flex. The Puj Snug elephant comes in four colors: gray, white, kiwi (yellow) and aqua. It allows access to the shower diverter and because it’s flexible, it can fit on almost any spout. Simple and easy but makes a big difference during bath time.

Puj has amazing products, not just for bath time but for mealtime, and body products for mom and dad. All of their products are gender neutral, so it makes it easy to plan for baby. I give the Puj Snug and Puj bath treads 5 out of 5 stars. They have made bath time so much safer for both of my girls and for my husband and I as well. The price points of Puj products great, they’re very affordable and the about the same as similar products on the market. Check out all of the products Puj has to offer here! You won’t be disappointed!

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

It really is no secret that the Burrito Buzz moms have a love-hate relationship with sippy cups. We try and tell you about the ones we love and the ones that we hate. Sippy cups are part of life with kids. There’s no way to get around it. Either it’s an awesome cup or it leaks and makes you want to smash it into a million little pieces.

A certain company has yet to leave our “hate it” list. Not only do we hate it, this mama bear is pretty furious. I have yet to try a Munchkin sippy cup that didn’t eventually stain a carpet, dump all over my kid or be impossible to clean thoroughly. We have told you guys about it here and here. I knew it was too good when the so called “Miracle Cup” rarely leaked and my toddlers liked it!

THE MOLDY LID

I received the 360 Miracle Cup as a “gift” when two of my sound machines both stopped working and it took over a month to get them replaced. I was thankful that even after a pretty rough customer service experience, they were trying to make up for it.

It is a simple cup with only three pieces that you can take apart. There is one piece that you can not take off though. The little rubber ring that gives it a tight seal is not something you can remove.

Well, this evening I was drying it off and noticed little gray spots. The ring is clear and tightly secured to the cup. I never thought to take it off because you can’t. I ran my nail under it try and a little pile of black junk came out. Gross! I literally had to take a steak knife, pry it away and then use another knife to flip it off. The pictures speak for themselves. It is absolutelydisgusting and I really hope my child does not get sick from this.This is the same lid as above, just the opposite side.

Before Munchkin can give their spiel about how you are supposed to properly clean the cup, like I have seen on other complaints, I will tell you that it is always cleaned promptly and properly. This cup gets rinsed, taken apart and washed after every single use. It doesn’t sit around the house all day, nor does it sit in the sink for days on end. Not only is it washed, but it is also put in the top rack of my dishwasher to get sanitized. Or so I thought…

Parents, please be sure to toss these cups so your littles don’t get sick from them!

My oldest daughter, who will turn four later this month, loves anything artsy-fartsy. Whether it’s coloring with crayons, colored pencils, markers or random pens she finds in the junk drawer (my fault), painting (especially on things she’s not supposed to), making things with Play Doh and clay, I really try to foster anything that she can do using her creativity. I also try to mesh learning and creativity together by including letters and numbers when we’re coloring or painting. So, I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to review the Tri-Side Learn & Play Art Center ($179.99) from Little Partners.

Little Partners is a company that makes products that enrich little ones and help nurture the relationship between parents and their children. The Tri-Side Learn & Play Art Center is designed to encourage young artists with special places to paint, color and play. There are three sides: a chalk board, felt board and a magnetic dry erase board. Underneath the dry erase board is a set of four spill-proof paint containers, making cleanup a breeze after a fun paint session. There are ledges under each board to organize all of your little one’s art supplies to make it easy for them to find and use. Included: a roll of paper, an eraser (used for both the chalkboard and dry erase board) and four paint containers.

FIrst thing’s first, we adore this easel. It’s super sturdy and I love that it’s made of real wood (layered pine) so it is made to last. My daughter (and my husband and I, too) have been having a blast painting, coloring, and playing on the boards together- we’ve been playing a lot of Hangman which brings back memories of playing in school. I’m trying to find letters, numbers and shapes for the felt board because there is a deep mesh holder under the felt board that can hold a lot and I think they’d be a fantastic learning tool. So if anyone knows where I can find some at a good price, please let me know in the comments! Each board is independently height adjustable, so it’s perfect for little ones to grow with. The paint cups are awesome and truly spill proof making clean up after my daughter paints her Picasso so easy. I love how this easel has really encouraged my daughter to be creative and use her imagination even more, she’s been having so much fun. It will be great to have this winter when we’re cooped up in the playroom.

There is one down fall. If you have ever purchased anything from Ikea, you know how difficult and time consuming it is to put it together. That is the comparison my husband used after putting the art center together. It took him over two hours to finally get it all put together (I offered to do it myself but he insisted and I’m so glad I didn’t have to do it). His biggest complaint was the labeling of the parts. They are labeled by numbers but certain pieces were labeled incorrectly, which took more time to find. Some of the screws didn’t fit the holes in the wood so he had to make the holes bigger by hand, again, taking up more time. He said it was a pain in the butt to get it together but he’s happy with the outcome and loves that our daughter is having so much fun with it. However, he said he will never take it apart.

All in all, I am very impressed with the art center, so I’m giving it a 4 out of 5 stars (only because of the problems my husband ran into while assembling it). The quality is superb and will definitely last, even after being beaten up by children. Check out the Little Partners website to see all of their amazing products like the popular Learning Tower and 3-in-1 Growing Step Stool, along with other great products! And you’re in luck if you’re interested in a Tri-Side Learn & Play Art Center for your little one! It’s on sale now through Labor Day for $149.99 (down from ($179.99). Click here to purchase!

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

The moms here at Burrito Buzz have sampled several products from Silikids over the last several months. You can read about them here – Siliskin Sippy & Straw Cup, the Silibib, and Silicone Bags & Spoons. I was able to sample the Silimap from Silikids which is a folding silicone placemat for kids. I was immediately intrigued by it and knew my 3 year old would be the perfect little person to demo it. She is always asking questions andwanting to try new things, so I was excited to see what she thought of this product. Plus, I knew she would be honest!

The Silimap is a silicone placemat that folds up for easy storing. This placemat is compact once it’s folded (7″x 4.5″x 0.75″), so it can fit into any purse, clutch, or diaper bag for perfect on-the-go usage. It is also great to use at home – we took it outside and used it on our patio table. Another unique feature of the Silimap, is that it can be colored on with washable marker and then wiped clean. So, when your kids are getting restless waiting for their food, they can instead stay busy right on their placemat! The placemat is made of silicone, which keeps it from sliding around and perfect for messy kiddos like mine who are all over the place.

More perks include:

Dishwasher safe – I will admit, I have not tried this with the Silimap. To me, it’s easier just to wash it by hand than have it take up a bunch of room in my dishwasher

Available in two colors: clear or “sea” blue and large in size (18″x 14″)

Perfect learning tool featuring a geographic map of the United States

Can be drawn on with washable markers

100% silicone – making it not a harbor for bacteria, BPA and DEHP free, resistant to high temperatures and hypo-allergenic

I was overall pleased with this product. My only complaint would be that it did not clean up as easily as I thought it would. I will be honest; I’m not certain how “washable” the markers were that my daughter used on it. I ended up soaking the placemat in soapy water and it came clean. My 3 year old really did enjoy being able to color on it. It was perfect for her to use while I was getting her lunch ready and I can teach her about geography in the process – win!

Check out Silikids to purchase the Silimap for $14.95 and to see their other unique products! You can also purchase the Silimap on Amazon by clicking here: Silikids Silimap.

– Megan

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

We all want the best for our little ones. Many children have sensitive skin and/or allergies. The worst thing about it is, as a parent, it is so hard to figure out what causes your child’s sensitive skin. My little girl has always had sensitive skin. She breaks out all the time and most of the time, we have no idea what caused it. I am really hoping that she grows out of it, but in the meantime, I seek out organic and extremely gentle products for my babies.

The Weleda Baby Calendula line is absolutely fantastic for allergy prone skin.

First of all, calendula is a flower that is used in multiple ways for health and wellness, but it is mainly used for skin care and as an anti-inflammatory. It is a great moisturizer, helps reduce pain and helps soothe irritated skin. Weleda’s flowers are organically grown in their own gardens in Germany. Weleda has an extensive line of creams, oils, and soaps for all your baby care needs.

ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE:

Certified natural and dermatologist tested safe for babies.

Free of parabens and other chemical preservatives, synthetic fragrance and petroleum ingredients.

Not tested on animals

Free of GMOs

Diaper Rash Cream

This cream is one of the best I have used in a long time! BK#2 has horrible diaper rash on a regular basis. Any time he cuts a tooth or a dirty diaper doesn’t get changed immediately, he breaks out in a rash and even gets blisters. It’s absolutely heart breaking and I wish I could just let him stay in the nude all the time to help prevent it. This cream got rid of a bumpy and horrifying red rash in one diaper change.

Cloth diaper friendly cream!

It’s thick, but creamy and easily wipes from your finger without leaving a horrible smell.

This is a pretty typical cream. I felt it was more of a lotion than a cream. It is pretty thin and absorbs fairly quickly. As all of the calendula products do, this smells amazing! It’s the perfect amount moisture to keep your little one’s skin nourished daily, but is rich enough that it soothes dry and irritated skin. I have really sensitive, dry, and eczema prone skin, so I was slathering it on and I really like it!

This body cream doubles as a diaper creamas a preventative barrier when your baby doesn’t have a rash.

The face cream was just a little thicker than the body cream and it smelled exactly the same. My littles don’t really get dry skin on their face, but they had awful baby acne and flakey faces as infants so I am sure this would have a God send when they were tiny. There aren’t many lotions specifically for a baby’s face.

Infants get the most random rashes on their faces and most of the time the doctors can’t or won’t do anything because they are so little. A baby face cream gives you the ability to soothe your baby without having to resort to any type of prescriptions.

I really liked this wash. It wasn’t heavily scented, didn’t bubble up too much and get in their eyes, and it cleaned up any sticky mess my babies were covered in at the end of the day. The wash also has just enough moisture in it to not need a conditioner for babies that have a lot of hair. It left my babies with silky soft curly locks!

It’s tear free and naturally fragranced with essential oils, so there is no worry about the suds getting in tiny and delicate little eyes.

I know not everyone uses baby oil on their babies and kids, but I love it. I have super dry easily-irritated skin, so I try to keep up with theirs as much as I can. Baby oil gives them just a little bit more than a lotion would to lock in all the moisture. I generally only put it on them after a bath and before bed. That way it has all night to soak in. This has such a mild scent and I didn’t feel like I was overwhelming them with scent like some that I have used. It absorbs extremely fast and doesn’t leave a residue if you get it on clothes. The only down side is the hole in the spout is pretty large. I have had much more than I wanted come out multiple times!

My littles left me looking like a tiger. Not just on my belly but everywhere! I am talking my stomach, thighs, calves and chest. I blew up like a balloon. I always try any stretch mark oil that I can get my hands on!

This oil was great. It wasn’t sticky or thick and didn’t leave much of a residue.

I didn’t have much of a result with the oil, but man it was nice. I did notice that my stretch marks were slightly lighter and not as rough around the edges. So that’s a big plus! I’m sure with more time it will do more!

Weleda Nursing Tea is a blend of 100% organic herbs that supports lactation and soothes digestion. Organic fenugreek seed, used traditionally to increase milk supply, is mixed with organic anise seed, organic fennel seed and other organic herbs to help ease digestion, for both mother and baby.

We obviously love Weleda! It’s such an awesome company with great products! They also sent us several products to do a giveaway!

How to enter:

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Like Weleda

Comment and tag friends!

Winner will be drawn at random on September 4, 2016!

Good Luck!

– Amanda

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Having an infant. Constant bottle feeds. Every two hours (sometimes more). Cluster feeding. It’s all such a mess. But in all reality, I didn’t realize how easy it was when I just had one thing to do: feed my child.

As my toddler son has grown, I’ve introduced more and more foods into his diet. However, I’ve found myself feeding him the same things over and over at times, because I couldn’t think of what else to give him. Toddler foods should be nutritious, but also bite-sized (or really, in my son’s case, take that bite-sized piece and cut it into 8 pieces or he’ll gag and barf everywhere. Cool, right?)

So when I finally get sick of the snacks I’m feeding him, I find myself on Pinterest or visiting forums for finger-food ideas that are also healthy.

Enter NurturMe Yum-a-Roos, an organic toddler snack. 100% real fruits and veggies with no added salts, sugars, or preservatives, and they are dissolvable.

These come in resealable bags and NurturMe offers a variety of snack options. The snack that we elected to try was the pea+banana+pineapple combo. These are freeze-dried so they can be toted along without having to keep them cold.

They are USDA organic, gluten free, and offer a quick, nutritious snack for your little ones on the go.

I am by no means the perfect mom, but I do try diligently to offer my 1.5 year old healthy snacks whenever possible and as a busy parent, this allows me to do just that.

My son loves these snacks. I’d recommend only giving them to children that have a good number of teeth. My son still struggles with the dried peas, but the other fruits and veggies he does really well with!

Thanks to NurturMe for providing a good treat for my toddler!

– Katie

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of product review. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Before Candy Crush and other popular games you can play on cell phones and tablets, kids played regular old board games. When I was little, Monopoly Junior, Shoots and Ladders, and Candyland were some of my favorites (Monopoly is still my favorite as an adult). And now that my daughter is old enough to understand the concept of games, I am so excited to show her how fun games can be and introduce her to different games. I love that games can be competitive (a little competition is good) and she can learn so much. Little ones learn hand-eye coordination, dexterity, recognizing letters, numbers and colors, but most of all, they get to spend one-on-one time with you, their favorite person in the world.

Recently, I had the opportunity to review two games from an amazing company called SmartGames, and let me tell you, these games are smart! These aren’t your ordinary board games, they’re puzzles that challenge you mentally but they’re fun. Kids utilize skills from spatial insight to pattern recognition, while they improve their problem solving skills and their memory. SmartGames are made with the best quality of materials and they’re made to last; seriously, they’re fantastically crafted. The fun part is absolutely anyone can play!

The first game is my daughter’s favorite, Smart Car. Smart Car is a wooden puzzle game that challenges little ones to assemble the car with the included wooden pieces. They’ll learn concepts like “top view” and “side view” while also having fun. Included with the 3D puzzle is a booklet containing 48 challenges that range from easy to difficult. Ages 3-8 years old will have a blast, but it’s also fun for mom and dad. We have a lot of fun “playing” with this puzzle and I love that my daughter can look at the challenges and actually put the car together like the picture shown. She loves looking at the solution to compare and she gets excited when she sees she’s done it right.

The second games is my favorite, Little Red Riding Hood Deluxe. The concept of the games is you’re given a “map” of how to set up the board. You put Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, Grandma’s House and the included trees where the challenge says to put them. Once the board it set up, you have to solve the puzzle by making two paths, one for the Wolf and one for Little Red Riding Hood, to get to Grandma’s house. This puzzle game is a lot of fun, my husband and I have been playing it when the kids go to sleep (don’t judge us). We timed each other to see who can figure out the paths faster. The puzzle includes a booklet with 48 challenges (24 with the Wolf and 24 without) that range from beginner to expert, 2 figurines, 5 path pieces, 3 trees and 1 house. A picture book of Little Red Riding Hood with a modern twist is also included which my daughter loves!

I give SmartGames a 5 out of 5 stars. I can’t wait to order more games for my girls! The quality is amazing and they can be passed down for generations because they’ll last. If you’re looking for fun but different games, not just the normal kid’s games, definitely check out SmartGames! They’re a lot of fun and they have so many different kinds of puzzles for ages 3+. SmartGamesLive is a website where you can play games online and you can also download game apps in the AppStore and GooglePlay! There are several ways to play these awesome games!

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

I was recently asked to sample and review NurturMe blended dry cereal meals with my 8 month old and I was thrilled for the opportunity. Have you strolled down the baby food aisle lately?! As a new mom walking down the baby food aisle, it can be overwhelming with all the options for your little one. I was unfamiliar with the choices for dry baby food, but fortunately my son has been a wonderful eater, so I was anxious to try out NurturMe organic dry meal pouches and explore new flavors and foods.

The dried baby food comes in a simple easy-to-tear open pouch. Pour the food into a bowl and you add either water, breast milk, or formula to create your desired consistency (one pouch calls for 7 to 8 tablespoons of liquid and will make a typical amount of food). I prepared NurturMe carrots, raisins, and sweet potato baby food with water and was immediately impressed. As any mom would, I tried the new food before offering it to my little guy and was surprised at the amount of flavor – it was delicious! My little one ate nearly the entire amount prepared. I was thrilled because I knew he was getting a ton of nutrients.

Like most baby foods, the remaining prepared food can be stored for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. I would definitely recommend NurturMe organic gluten free dried baby food, not only because of the ingredients used, but the convenience as well. I think their lightweight pouches would be great for on-the-go families. These pouches can easily be stored and stashed in your pantry, car, diaper bag, etc. and you have the satisfaction of knowing your growing little one is getting powerful nutrients. Check out their website to learn about all of their product offerings and to find their food in a retailer near you!

– Allyson

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

My little ones never stay covered at night, especially my youngest! He is constantly tossing, turning, and throwing things out of his crib. In the winter, we used a Halo Sleepsack. But for summer, I could not find one that would keep him at the right temperature. More times than I would like, he would wake up soaked in sweat. It was such a struggle.

ergoPouch recently sent me their summer sleeping bag to try out this summer. We have been using it for a few weeks now and Iabsolutely love it! It’s best for 24C (75f) degrees, making it great for hot summer days and nights.

Super soft 400+ thread count Organic Cotton sheeting.

Stretch inserts in top and side panels allow babies to move freely and sleep in comfort.

Double ended zipper for easy nappy access.

Skin-friendly, eco-friendly – no pesticides or chemicals

Highly breathable and antibacterial

This is a very soft sleep bag, it is a super soft sheet-like material giving the perfect layer to cover your baby, but so breathable and luxurious. If your baby still wakes during the night for feedings, then you know how annoying it is to take clothes off to change a diaper. The two way zipper is awesome for diaper changes or just to let your little one have their feet out of they like. Their infant swaddles also have this and makes it awesome for transferring to bouncer or seat safely.

I found the sizing a little larger than other sleep sacks that I have used. We have the 12-36 month and it was a good 6 inches taller than my 2T little man. It was a little awkward at first, but didn’t really bother him and was still super cute. I have machine washed and dried the sleeping back multiple times and it still looks just like new. It definitely holds up really well as there are no signs of wear and tear.

ergoPouch offers many products and I will definitely be looking into more of them for my children for this coming winter. Swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep suit bags, sleep accessories, pajamas, and even PJs for mommy! You can check out all of their awesome products here! Currently, there are some on sale. I know I will definitely will be taking advantage of this sale!

Prices of the sleep sack varies, but is typical for a blanket or sleep sack. The summer sleeping bag is $39.99.

Keep a lookout on Instagram and their Facebook page for regular updates. Right now they are looking for people to try out their new sleeping bag!

I can’t wait for this product to be available in more stores in the US because it is definitely a must for a baby registry!

– Amanda

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

With the school year starting, some schools have already started (where the heck did summer go?!), kids are getting back into the swing of things with homework, field trips, and learning lots of new things. My oldest is starting her second year of preschool next month and I have to admit, we slacked off this summer. With a new baby born in March, we didn’t have a lot of time to work on things she’d learned during the school year. Because of my slacking, we began working on letters and numbers. I heard wonderful things about Letterland, child-friendly phonics, so I reached out and they were kind enough to send two fantastic products.

Letterland has been in business for over 45 year and during those years, they have published hundreds of books to help children read, write and spell to millions of parents around the world. Their products are actually available in over one hundred countries! Letterland uses characters and actions to teach phonics that are scientifically backed.

Letterland sent me their Phonics Touch & Trace Flashcards ($11.99) and Phonics Touch & Trace Book ($14.99) and they’re both phenomenal learning tools! The flashcards and the book have velvet letters that children can trace with their fingers to “write” the letter. There are arrows showing which way to start tracing each letter and dotted lines to help them stay on track. The velvet letters are a huge hit and make it easier for my daughter to trace the letters. She’s almost four, I was pretty surprised how quickly she caught on (she previously refused to do any “writing” with me). Learning to trace the letters and what each letter is (she’s still working on knowing which letter is which but has most down), is really going to help this year when she learns to write her name and the alphabet.

She also loves the stories on each page that use alliteration. The flashcards help reiterate what she has learned. Several games are included with the flashcards, that make learning how to pronounce letter sounds, finger tracing letters and building simple three letter words to read even more fun!

I am anxious to keep using the workbook and flashcards throughout the year and to see what else my daughter will learn. I give these products a 5 out of 5 stars, because they work! Letterland has so many fun and education products to offer, there are too many to list! Check out their website here to see everything!

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Let me preface this article: I am generally not someone who utilizes holistic approaches to medicine. In addition, this article is in no way written by a medical expert. Please consult your pediatrician prior to utilizing Baltic Amber.

My son started teething pretty early. Now, at 18 months old, he’s still teething. At around 7 months old, his discomfort from teething was pretty unbearable. He was fussy, drooling, and not sleeping well. While we did give him teething toys often, most other remedies were utilized infrequently (Tylenol, tablets, etc.)

I heard the hype of authentic Baltic Amber, and initially dismissed it. After seeing the buzz time and time again, I decided “why the hell not?” We purchased our first Baltic Amber necklace. It was the right size for my son’s neck, had a release clasp, and was knotted between beads. He wore it all day, except for in the bath, and at night we wrapped it around his ankle under a sock. And while I can’t say indefinitely that it was the amber, I can say that within a week there was a considerable difference in his demeanor and even less drool. He wore his necklace for months until he outgrew it, and then we ended up getting one from The Amber Monkey.

Their necklaces are authentic Baltic Amber. They have various sizes and styles, and sell both adult and children’s necklaces. They actually sent us an adult sized necklace, too, that I’ve been wearing!

But truly, the Amber Monkey sells quality items. I inspected each necklace and was impressed by the styling and attention to detail.

Here is some additional information on Baltic Amber:

“For centuries amber has been treasured not only for its beauty but also for its health benefits. The Amber Monkey’s 100% certified Baltic amber jewelry comes directly from the amber mines in the Baltic region of the world. For hundreds of years, people have worn the Baltic amber fossil, which releases trace amounts succinic acid, a natural analgesic and healing agent.

Amber is the fossilized resin from ancient forests which has gone through multiple changes over the centuries. This metamorphosis resulted in an exceptional gem with extraordinary properties. Various types of plant life as well as insects may be encapsulated in the amber resin, adding a peculiar uniqueness. These trees fell and were carried by rivers to coastal regions. There the trees along with their resins became covered with sediment which hardened into amber over hundreds of years. Geological events have repositioned a great deal of the amber, however many amber deposits remain in the ocean residue and can be found on the shores of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.

Due to its ornamental uses, amber is often considered to be a gem stone in the same class as semi-precious stones such as jade and turquoise. However semi-precious stones are mineralized whereas amber is a wholly organic material derived from the resin of an extinct species of trees. When amber is touched with fire, it gives off the scent of burning pine.

For hundreds of years the properties of Baltic amber have proven to be very beneficial. Many people boast of wearing Baltic amber for relief of migraines, head, neck and throat congestion, teething and toothaches. Amber can be beneficial for controlling rheumatism and arthritis pain, for aching muscles and joints, for carpal tunnel syndrome and sports injuries. For the best results it is recommended to wear the Baltic amber as close as possible to the painful area. From infant on thru the sunset years, wearing Baltic amber can be invaluable in providing natural healing. Baltic amber is the only fossil resin that contains 3/8 percent succinic acid, which is a powerful therapeutic substance. For the greatest effectiveness, it is recommended to wear the amber as close to the painful site as possible. The warmth of the body releases the healing properties of the amber.

Amber is sometimes used as a body oil as well as an ingredient in perfumes. Many spas and wellness facilities use amber oil for message. As the amber warms to the touch, it exudes a pleasant, relaxing fragrance while messaging away aches and pains.

The Amber Monkey offers a complete line of classic style amber necklaces and bracelets. Because of the wide color range of amber, The Amber Monkey jewelry can include a stunning arrangement of tones and hues. The Amber Monkey also offers Baltic amber in combination with semi-precious gemstones to give an added splash of color to the jewelry.

Baltic amber comes in a variety of colors and shapes. Colors range from golden tones and opaque cream colors to olive green, deep cherry and several shades of brown. Color has no significance on the effectiveness of amber, it is purely a personal preference. Bead sizes range from small to large in a variety of shapes, including slender chips, baroque (rounded beads), square beads, and flat olive shaped beads to name a few. Some beads are left in the raw, unpolished state and others have been polished to give a vibrant luster to the bead. This again is a personal preference of the appearance and does not affect the amber properties.

Those who prefer an elegant one of a kind piece of jewelry will certainly not be disappointed in The Amber Monkey’s selection. Our designers regularly add new creations to our collection. For the fun-loving customer, The Amber Monkey has many flirty styles that are sure to please.

Baltic amber necklaces have been a traditional baby teething remedy for centuries. Baltic amber’s natural analgesic, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving properties naturally soothe and calm a teething baby. The amber may also help reduce teething related symptoms such as swollen gums, runny nose, diaper rash, fever, and redness in the cheeks. Baltic amber is great for parents wanting to care for their baby naturally.

Proper fitting of children’s necklaces is critical.

With proper care Baltic amber jewelry will last for many years. Simply wipe the beads with a clean damp cloth. Never expose the jewelry to chlorine, oils or lotions as it will damage the beads. Disclaimer: Baltic amber is for external use only. The amber jewelry is designed to be worn only under adult supervision. Take caution to avoid contact with the mouth. The jewelry contains small parts and is not intended for children. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

I’m a firm believer that Baltic Amber has some healing properties. A web search provides mixed feelings and minimal scientific evidence, so I can only speak for our own experience utilizing amber for teething pains.

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

When shopping for tableware for children, you’re bombarded with plastic everything. Plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic silverware. It’s all plastic. But you don’t know what’s in that plastic. Most of it is now BPA free, which I’m guessing makes it safer but you still can’t microwave it and I personally wouldn’t put hot food on a plastic plate in case it melts the plate or the plastic seeps into the food. We all know glass is safer. I wish I would have went the glass bottle route with my little ones, but the risk of breaking them and the cost really pushed me away. But glass tableware for little ones doesn’t really make a lot of sense, does it? Toddlers and glass do not mix. But Brinware changes that. I recently had the opportunity to review a few of their products and I am in love with them!

Brinware makes beautiful tempered glass plates ($19.99 for a set of 2, $11.99 for 1) that are super strong and durable. The plates come with a colorful food-grade silicone sleeve to protect the plate even more and prevent it from slipping. My toddler actually grabbed the plate (without the sleeve) and dropped it as I was washing dishes and it didn’t break! I was completely impressed. It’s a 7.5″ round plate that is dishwasher safe and microwavable, which is important to me. I get really frustrated when I can’t microwave my daughter’s food on her “pretty colored” plates as she calls them, so I have to transfer her food from a microwavable safe plate to her plastic plate (toddlers are picky). Brinware plates eliminate the need to do that since the plates can be microwaved. I also love the silicone sleeves, as they help protect my hands from hot plates, prevent slipping and keep the safe, not to mention all of the bright color choices! There fun designs on each plate and the sleeve really makes them pop!

I also received two food-grade silicone placemats ($16.99 for a set of 2) to try with the plates. We have a few different placemats, some are silicone, some are plastic, some are laminated mats that I found at the Dollar Store. None of them compare to these Brinware placemats. I know, I know. It’s just a placemat. But when it comes to messy kids (and my OCD), we use placemats at every meal and want them to make my life easier, not harder. These mats definitely do that! They’re 11” x 15” so they’re big enough for even the messiest of eaters. Each set comes with an alphabet mat and a number mat and come in the same colors as the plate sleeves (yay for matching!). My favorite thing about these mats: they do not move! It’s like they suction to the table or something, they just stay put! I love that the mats roll up easily for storage and travel, are super easy to clean, and they don’t retain odors!

I give Brinware a 5 out of 5 stars. I am completely impressed with both the plates and placemats, I will definitely be getting more of both so we have enough to use when friends come over for playdates! I love that the plates are free of toxins and aren’t harmful. Brinware also has other great products, a catch all silicone bib ($14.99) available in four bold colors and a fun storage container ($14.99) Be sure to check their website out to see all of their awesome products! Many Brinware products are now available at Target! Get to shopping here!

We also have a discount code to use at checkout! Save 20% with BRINWARE20.

– Casey

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Teething babies are the worst. Plan and simple, teething sucks. Sometimes you get lucky and have a baby that doesn’t show he or she is in pain, so you’d never even know they’re teething at all. My first daughter was like that; you’d never know she was cutting a tooth because she was still happy-go-lucky like she always was. My second daughter is a whole different story. Of course every baby is different but she is reeeeally unhappy lately. She’s working on her bottom two teeth and she’s just a fussy, drooling mess. I’ve tried silicone teething necklaces and bracelets that she likes to chew on when I’m holding her. But when I’m not holding, I’m won’t leave her alone (while I do the dishes or laundry) with a necklace.

Ever since my oldest was born almost four years ago, I’ve seen little ones always chewing on a rubber giraffe named Sophie. It seemed to be a big hit with babies and parents alike, but I never took the plunge and spent the $25 to get her one (being a stay at home mom and only having one income, things were and still are financially tight). But with my youngest being a tiny teething terror at a young age, I reached out to Vulli, who makes Sophie la girafe, to collaborate with Burrito Buzz on a review. They were sweet enough to send us a gift set with a Sophie la girafe for my youngest and flash cards for my oldest

As soon as I opened Sophie and washed her, I handed her to my almost five month old and she immediately snatched her by the leg and starting gnawing on her head. Sophie was so easy for her to handle and actually keep a hold of. The way the giraffe is shaped, with its long neck and legs, it allows for little hands to grab any part of it and bring it to their little mouths.

Sophie also has the cutest little face; I think she’s just adorable! In fact, her face has stayed the same since she was born in France in 1961. She’s made of 100% natural latex rubber, which comes exclusively from Hevea trees growing in Malaysia. Sophie is an award-winning toy not only with little ones and their parents, but among the toy industry as well. My one and only gripe with Sophie is that she squeaks like a dog toy which drives my dog, Mesa, insane. My oldest runs around squeaking as much as she can to taunt him. I know that one day he’s going to snatch her and it’ll be game over for our beloved Sophie. But we’re going to enjoy the relief it brings my baby until then.

Sophie came in a gift set ($31.28) that included flash cards for my almost four year old. She’s starting her second year of preschool and we’ve been working on letters and numbers all summer and these flashcards are perfect to continue practicing! They’re quality made with bright and colorful pictures. The 26 cards each have a unique picture on them so she can familiarize with the alphabet (A is for Apple with a picture of an apple, for example). They’ll be perfect for when she starts spelling words, too! I love that I can use these cards with the baby when she gets a little older to learn objects, letters, etc. Sophie la girafe’s picture is on the left hand corner of each card, which little ones will love as they can learn with their Sophie!

Sophie is definitely be a permanent fixture (until Mesa gets her) in our house. I just love how easy it is for the baby to chew on her and our baby actually gets relief. I give Sophie la girafe and the gift set a 5 out of 5 stars. It’s the perfect gift for both toddlers and babies and a great gift for baby showers. I totally get the hype of Sophie la girafe now, our family just adores her! I really wish I would have spent the $25 a few years ago; I know my oldest would have loved her just as much!

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of product review. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

As I’ve written before, my almost four year old loves books. I love that she got her love of reading and books from my mom (she would read 2-3 thick books a week!). My daughter also loves seek and find books! A few months ago, I was going through a box of my old belongings and found a few Where’s Waldo books and she loved them! So I did a little research to see if there were any seek and find books geared towards little ones. I was so happy when I found First Look and Find books from p i kids (Phoenix International Publications).

I purchased two First Look and Find books to see if my daughter liked them. We got Mickey Mouse and Princess Sofia to start off with. She devoured those books! They were all she wanted to look at for a few days until she could find each item with her eyes closed. So I
reached out to p i kids to collaborate on a review together and they kindly sent her a few more titles to check out! The board books come in two different sizes, a small 5″ x 6″ perfect for little hands and a large 10″ x 12.125″ that’s big enough to share. Each page has pictures of several items to look for and the back of each book has bonus challenges, too! The books are perfect to keep kids busy in the car, at the store, at the doctor’s office, anywhere!

There are so many titles available including Disney, Nickelodeon, Thomas The Train, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, The Peanuts and many more. It’s almost guaranteed that your little one’s favorite characters have a Look and Find book! There are books for Christmas and holidays, too! Kids can search, point and match items, which I love because my daughter is learning as she’s looking! She’s making comparisons and following simple directions. At bedtime, she picks a book, gets her flashlight and “reads” to herself before falling asleep.

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There are other Look and Find products, too, not just books! p i kids sent us two big puzzles that, once put together, have items to find! My daughter loved putting them together then searching for Mickey and friends! There are activity pads, Write-and-Erase books, Fun Boxes (filled with books, stickers, activity cards, poster and magnifying glass), puzzles, book sets and more! There are so many fun products for little ones! p i kids also publishes a ton of other fun books, be sure to check out their website to see all of their books!

We love Look and Find books and can’t wait to continue to add to our collection! They make great gifts for birthday, holidays, or just because, as any child will love to look through these books! They can be purchased pretty much anywhere books are sold; book stores, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Toys R US to name a few and prices start at $2.99. I give p i kids Look and Find books a 5 out of 5. My daughter loves when we snuggle in her bed looking for items together and I can’t wait my youngest is able to join in on the search!

– Casey

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Five of the Burrito Buzz Moms received an awesome offer for us each to review a bracelet from Sashka Co. I connected with the company via Twitter because I was intrigued by their adorable bracelets that appeared to be perfect for moms. I personally am not a big jewelry wearer. I have a few nice piece that my husband bought for me, so I always wear the same thing. I never wear anything too flashy or bulky, and I definitely stay away from jewelry that my kiddos could get a hold of and ruin. This bracelet has met all of my expectations!

Sashka Co. is a unique company because their bracelets are handmade, bead by bead, in Nepal. Artisan women work from home for fair wages in hopes to beat poverty through fair trade. The company is focused on empowering women and promoting gender equality.

Bracelets are hand crocheted using glass beads and cotton thread. Because of this, the bracelet will simply roll over your hand and form to your wrist for the perfect fit and fit over any size hand.

Sashka Co. offers a lifetime guarantee. With that said, if your bracelet breaks, they replace it! The company also promises an exchange or return if you are not happy with the fit of your bracelet.

They offer a ton of colors and color combinations to go with any outfit.

The bracelet was durable just as I had hoped. My 1 year old pulled on it when it was around my wrist, and not only did it not break, it didn’t seem to get stretched out.

Bracelets range from $13-28 from Sashka Co.’s website. I think this is more than reasonable, especially because they also offer free shipping on orders over $25! They also have bracelet sets available.

A a mom of two little toddlers, I think it’s important to feel like I’m put together some days, because most often, I am so far from put together. If a little jewelry will do that, then so be it! This bracelet is dressy enough to add a little flare to any outfit for any occasion, but practical enough to be worn around my little ones. I give it 5 out of 5 stars, and I’m sure my fellow Burrito Buzz Moms will agree! They too love their Sashka Co. bracelets!

Check out Sashka Co. on their website to learn more about their business and to buy some of their beautiful bracelets!

**BurritoBuzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences with a product and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with shoes. I vividly remember getting a pair of The Little Mermaid velcro tennis shoes for Christmas when I was almost four years old. I was in love with those shoes and literally wore them until my toes popped through the front. There are pictures of me wearing them with my toes busting out, but I refused to give them up. My daughter is the same exact way. She’s almost four and has a ton of shoes, far more than I own now (probably because I’d rather buy her shoes instead of a pair for myself). However, she had a little jumping-from-the-slide-to-the-couch-but-missed accident when I was 9 months pregnant this past March. She fractured a bone in her foot and the timing couldn’t have been worse. I was due to have a c-section a week after she got her thigh-high cast on that she had to wear for 3-4 weeks. We survived and she’s doing pretty good now, but she’s still doesn’t like to wear hard sole shoes, she says they hurt her foot. But she loves wearing her Freshly Picked Moccasins! I’m sure you’ve seen little ones wearing leather moccasins, thinking it’s a “hipster baby” fad but it’s not, these shoes are so good for little feet!

Freshly Picked Moccasins were created by Susan Peterson 7 years ago after failing to find a shoe that fit her son’s chubby feet. I have been following Freshly Picked on Instagram ever since my oldest was just a few months old and I have always wanted to get my daughter a pair but didn’t have the funds as a new mom (each pair is $60, but there are a few sales throughout the year where they are discounted). After getting a beautiful pair of moccasins for my almost four year old recently (pink moccs were a must), we are hooked! Whether you’re looking for a bold or subtle shoe for your little babe, Freshly Picked has you covered! There are so many colors and patterns to chose from and they’re always releasing new designs. Seriously, it’s pretty hard to decide on what color to go with. The quality of the leather and craftsmanship of these adorable soft soled shoes is outstanding. The leather seriously molds to her feet, almost like a warm hug (my daughter’s words – “they’re hugging my feet!”) and the elastic band around the ankle keeps them on little feet. Soft soled shoes are perfect for little ones learning to walk, as they allow the foot to move naturally, but also protect delicate feet from harsh terrain.

I know I said $60 was steep for pair of shoes, but I will be buying a pair for my four month old when she starts walking. I know they’re going to be the best option for her little feet as she learns to walk. I love that the soles tell a story once they’ve been worn for a while. You can eventually see the outline of their little feet and remember all the places those moccasins have been and what milestones they’ve been a part of. Regular tennis shoes can’t do that.

My love of Freshly Picked has definitely grown since we’ve gotten our first pair. I’ve always admired Susan’s persistence, drive, and the story of how Freshly Picked was born; It’s never left my mind since I heard her tell it on Shark Tank. She spent an entire summer banging glass out of old windows her brother gave her (he owned a window company) so she could recycle the aluminum. With the $200 made, she started Freshly Picked. If that’s not hustle and heart, I don’t know what is. This is the kind of company you want to be a customer of and watch grow, as I have over the years. Not only are the products on another level, but so is the woman behind the brand.

In case you need another reason to fall in love with Freshly Picked moccasins, we have partnered up to give a pair of moccs to one lucky Burrito Buzz reader! Just follow the simple rules below and head over to Instagram to enter!

Giveaway ends August 17, 2016 at 12pm EST. Winner will be announced on the original giveaway post on Instagram on August 17, 2016 by 1pm EST. Goodluck!

Don’t forget to follow Susan and Freshly Picked on Facebook and Twitter, too!

– Casey

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

When BK#1 was tiny, I was set in my ways that she would never be glued to the TV and that I wouldn’t allow her to watch TV all the time. All the flipping time. Little did I know, I was in a for a rude awakening!

Toddlerhood quickly kicked in! Shortly after she turned one, her activity level spiked. Not only was she always on the go, but I was constantly entertaining. She never wanted to be alone, was always into things and I never got a spare second to do much of anything. Hooray, you are developing perfectly tiny human, but really can we cool it for half a second?!?!

I would kill for just a tiny little bit of the energy that toddlers seem to have. I found myself doing everything I possibly could to get her to play on her own just so I could run to the basement to throw a load of laundry in, let the dog out or go to the bathroom. A simple 5 minute task always seemed to have a toddler in tow. She played by herself pretty well, but unless she was in a pack and play, it never lasted too long. That’s okay! Yes, children need to learn to play alone, but when they are growing, they are starving for information and constantly learning!

One morning I woke up with a migraine the size of Texas. I could barely open my eyes, much less entertain a toddler. I was laying on the floor, hoping closeness would suffice and the chant of “ball, run, read, doggies, chase, sing…” started. I am sorry my tiny human, but I just can’t.

I did what I always said I would not do. I turned on a cartoon. I searched “Nursery Rhymes” on Netflix and hoped to find something to help me entertain until her daddy got home or my meds kicked in, whichever came first.

Flash forward a year later and cartoons are part of our everyday activities. You know why? Because, sometimes you just can’t! Sometimes we simply cannot compete with toddler energy and we just need to chill out for a second. Don’t abuse it, but I want you to know that it is okay. One parent to another: It will not scar your child to watch a little bit of TV. Most of the time they even learn a thing or two.

That being said, here are some BurritoBuzz favorite Netflix shows for little ones:

EDUCATIONAL

Leapfrog – There are 12 episodes total and the are all extremely educational! Math, science, numbers, letters, shapes, phonics, etc.

Baby Genius – Nursery rhymes and children’s songs. Nursery Rhymes are so important for reading and vocabulary development and music is so influential for a child.

Little Einsteins – This our babies’ absolute favorite right now! BK#1 loves that there is “a mission” and actions with the songs, and BK#2 adores the music!

Curious George – Not strictly educational, but entertaining and there is always a little lesson in each episode.

Clifford & Clifford Puppy Days – A lot like Curious George. Not strictly educational, but definitely lessons in each episode. Fun and cute characters!

This isn’t on Netflix any more (it just was removed), but definitely worth mentioning.

Daniel Tiger – Created by the “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” foundation. Every episode is a life lesson. Manners, emotions, friends, family, going to the doctor, potty time, pets, weather, siblings, imagination and much more! Sometimes we get a little sick of the same tunes, but it is BK#1’s absolute favorite and she really has learned a lot from it! Now, like I said it’s not on Netflix, but you can catch it on PBS every day at 11am or on their website. PBS in the morning is generally always toddler friendly.

BURRITOBUZZ MOMS APPROVED

Minions – Your toddler probably won’t have a clue what is going on, but it’s loud, funny and high energy, so of course they love it.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 -Adventure, dragons and action!

Sammy & Co. – It is multiple episodes about a turtle and his sea creature friends. Super cute and my animal lover approves for sure!

Puffin Rock – A Netflix original cartoon about the Puffin bird. There are multiple episodes about the cute little bird’s family and their day- to- day life.

Penguins of Madagascar- Crazy and funny little penguins rescuing their penguin friends from Dave the octopus.

Brother Bear (1&2) – “When a young Inuit hunter needlessly kills a bear, he is magically changed into a bear himself as punishment with a talkative cub being his only guide to changing back.”

Masha & The Bear – Originally it was a Russian TV show and it is translated into English. Super funny little girl tormenting a bear. Reminds me a lot of Tom and Jerry silliness

Home – Super cute new Netflix series based on the movie “Home”, about an alien planet making Earth their home, befriending a human, trying to find her mom and saving the Earth!

Lilo and Stitch – An oldie but goodie! Alien experiment comes to earth and finds a little girl who makes him her pet. She teaches him to be good and how to care about family. Very kid friendly and awesome example of a family that isn’t “perfect”. Whatever that is!

Stella and Sam – Adorable show about 9 year old Stella and her 4 year old brother Sam. I love that big sister Stella always lets Sam come on all of her adventures!

Aswith anything, TV is only okay in moderation. Make sure you child is active and not sitting in front of it all day! Also, remember to preview what your children watch first. They are tiny little parrots and there are a lot of things in “PG” movies that I wouldn’t want my kids saying or doing!